On September 11, 1973, 50 years ago to the day, Chile was plunged into one of the darkest periods in its history. A military junta led by General Augusto Pinochet overthrew the democratically elected government of President Salvador Allende. This coup marked the start of a brutal dictatorship that lasted almost two decades.
Covertly supported by the United States, Pinochet established a repressive regime characterized by the systematic violation of human rights. More than 3,000 people were killed or missing, thousands were tortured, imprisoned and forced into exile. Terror spread throughout the country, weighing heavily on the Chilean population.
The return to democracy in 1990 marked the official end of the Pinochet dictatorship, but the wounds caused by this dark period have not healed. The families of victims of the dictatorship have continued to fight for truth and justice, but many crimes committed during this period remain unpunished.
Since the end of the dictatorship, Chile has made significant progress toward building a more democratic and egalitarian society. However, the Constitution which was drafted under Pinochet in 1980 is still in force. This Constitution, often criticized for its lack of legitimacy and its conservatism, continues to be a subject of debate and contestation.
However, the tide is starting to turn. In October 2020, Chileans voted overwhelmingly in favor of drafting a new Constitution in a historic referendum. This new Constitution will be drafted by a constituent assembly composed of elected citizens.
This constitutional process offers hope for a new era for Chile, based on the values of social justice, equal opportunities and respect for human rights. It represents an opportunity to break with the vestiges of the dictatorial past and build a better future for all Chileans.
The quest for truth, justice and memory remains a major challenge for Chile. The search for mass graves and victims’ remains continues, in the hope of bringing justice to families who have waited too long. Memory work is essential to ensure that these horrors never happen again.
Chile has come a long way since the 1973 coup, but there is still much to do to heal the wounds of the past. By recognizing and confronting the mistakes and injustices committed during the Pinochet dictatorship, the country can continue to move towards true national reconciliation and a more democratic and inclusive society.